B.C. NDP leadership into home stretch

Port Coquitlam MLA Mike Farnworth unveiled his ninth endorsement Wednesday, as the contest for the next B.C. NDP leader heads for its voting day on April 17.

Nanaimo MLA Leonard Krog considered his own leadership bid after being part of the group who forced out former leader Carole James in December. Now he says Farnworth is the “only leader” who can unite the party and win an election against Premier Christy Clark.

“I think Mike Farnworth represents the character, experience and ability that’s going to win the next election,” Krog told a news conference at the B.C. legislature Wednesday. “That’s no reflection on Carole. The voters had their conclusion twice with Carole. We didn’t win. I’m convinced, as are many others in the caucus and many in the party, that with a new leader we could win.”

Farnworth said the fact that six of the 13 dissident MLAs have endorsed his candidacy shows that the “reunification process” is going well, and that’s important with an uncertain year ahead. Clark’s hesitation to seek a seat in a by-election in former premier Gordon Campbell’s constituency suggests a provincial election could come as soon as this summer, he said.

The other leadership contenders, Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons and marijuana activist Dana Larsen, have trailed in polls and do not have support among elected NDP members.

Party-sponsored debates continue around the province. Candidates were in Qualicum Beach Tuesday talking about health care, with youth the theme for Thursday night’s debate in Victoria. Audio or video files of debates are available here.

The final three debates are environmental sustainability April 2 in Vancouver, energy in Prince George April 4 and jobs April 6 in Terrace.